06/04/2016 BBC Newsline

Tonight's top stories: A woman who recently took abortion pills

she bought online tells BBC Newsline she refuses to be

I'm speaking out because of what has been happening in Northern Ireland

this week. How this 21-year-old mother has been treated, it has been

The family of a murdered man are targeted in an arson

The whole house is gutted, lost everything.

Lawyers for the so-called hooded men accuse the Secretary of State

of withholding sensitive information about their case.

The fight for Foyle - we examine the election battle

between Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and SDLP

Join me aghast at what I have been speaking to Graeme McDowell ahead of

the Masters. At Augusta. A wild day of weather today

with more to come tonight. Wet and windy with heavy rain

and gale force winds. A woman from Northern Ireland

who has recently taken abortion pills bought online

has described the fallout from this week's court case

as a witch-hunt. Speaking to the BBC, the woman,

who's in her 30s, says she has no regrets and refuses to

see herself as a criminal. On Monday a young woman was given

a suspended prison sentence after admitting taking pills

to induce a miscarriage. Some of you may find

the content of this report The events of this week are prompted

this woman to come forward to tell her story. Recently she bought

abortion pills online after discovering she was pregnant

following a one night stand. She says she was not physically or

emotionally ready to have a child. While she accepts she broke the law

she says she has no regrets. The wheeze, not her real name, asked the

BBC to protect her identity. -- the wheeze. I have done nothing wrong. I

am not afraid for me, I am afraid for this young moderates into the

courts. That is criminal, like something going on in the 1880s or

the dark ages. I am speaking out because what has been happening this

week. How this 21-year-old mother has been treated, it has been a

witchhunt. The pills were to address and without counselling on medical

assistance she bit into a hotel. I initially felt relief but I did not

begin instructions probably because I am dyslexic. I felt incredible

pain and was passing huge clots of blood and felt very sick. I was

nearly ready to call an ambulance if you times but because we fear of

what might happen to me and you think they might come for me, the

witchhunt, you know? We are all at the mercy of the law, this is a big

butt don't know how can see that as being criminal. Louise continue to

be a eventually went for medical assistance. I told them I have had a

miscarriage because there is no way they can sail if you have taken

abortion pills so this can be and I still had the Beatles back inside

me. They give me more pills. I had to go back to the hospital after I

did not pass it. She is speaking out after the court case this week which

saw a woman received a suspended sentence. While the waste does not

disagree that getting an abortion is wrong others agree such as the

housemates of the women at the centre of the court case. That is

the law or by here and I know people may say it is stupid but it is still

the law and you must abide by the law. Until that changes. If it

changes then fair enough but you are breaking the law you must be

punished. The woman says she is angry that the 1861 law remains in

place. Why are we winning the woman in all of this? Why is it always the

woman? We don't hear about the women. -- why are we blaming the

woman. It will continue to be able than's issue until we have the right

to choose about what we can do with our own bodies. She said she spoke

out to a high while taking abortion pills is legal that won't stop women

in Northern Ireland taking them. The parents and brother

of a County Armagh man who was murdered have escaped injury

in an early morning arson attack Marc Williamson was 21

when he was Our south East reporter

Gordon Adair has more. The arsonist set this car on fire

and rolled it against your house. It then ignited the house would

resulting in total devastation. The fire brigade and Royal Bank are

tonnes up calls. The whole house was gutted, lost everything. Mrs

Williamson's son was murdered five years ago. Then 21, he was stabbed

to death at the house party. She believes she knows who is behind

this attack. It's a long story but I know who is behind it.

If Robert haven't gone out so early this morning I would have lost

another son, maybe all of us but definitely my son because his room

is gutted. The police are saying they are trying to establish the

Plenty still to come on the programme:

Rangers are back in the top division of Scottish football and local fans

are very relieved. Feelings of joy, relief and satisfaction, knowing we

are back where we belong. The Hooded Men are a group

who claim they were tortured Today they accused the Secretary

of State of withholding sensitive information about briefings given

to Government ministers before A court hearing in Belfast was told

it's essential the men's legal team Our Home Affairs Correspondent

Vincent Kearney reports. Six of the so-called hooded

men were in court this morning with their legal

team and supporters. that was sanctioned by the British

Government. An RTE documentary two years ago

reconstructed what happened. They were hooded, forced to listen

to constant loud static noise, deprived of sleep, food and water,

forced to stand in a stress The men are taking legal action

to challenge the failure of the police, the government,

and justice minister They accuse the government

of withholding documents needed In court today, a lawyer

for Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said it's her view

that the government has disclosed all material relevant

for the legal action to go ahead. He said Theresa Villiers

hasn't disclosed documents about briefings to ministers before

the interrogations took place. One issue is it is not clear what

the content of the briefings were and it is therefore important to

determine what action it was organised, as to what they actually

knew when they did authorise these techniques.

The judge urged both parties to try to resolve the dispute.

Lawyers acting for the group of men have been given two weeks to write

to the secretary of state setting out what material they believe

has not been disclosed, and why it is relevant

If they aren't happy with the response, they'll come back

to court to ask for an order instructing her to hand

The UK Independence Party says it will expose the fudges and failures

of what it describes as the "cosy coalition club" at Stormont.

The party, which is standing 13 candidates

in the May Assembly election, launched its manifesto today.

Ukip criticises last November's Fresh Start deal -

and promises to provide a true opposition without any

The manifesto expresses concern over the threat from militant Islamists -

and calls for a tightening of border security.

Other Ukip policies include abolishing tuition fees for students

taking science degrees and backing the development of shale gas.

We're not that anybody's pocket. Ukip I'm going to go into a

coalition with Sinn Fein, we aren't going to pretend that the next ten,

15 years are going to be led out by the DUP and Sinn Fein in perpetuity

and they will always be in coalition. Ukip will be the voice of

the people and will challenge that nonsense that taking place in

Now to the first of our constituency profiles in the run-up

The Foyle constituency is the scene for

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness previously represented Mid Ulster.

new leader Colum Eastwood. in Londonderry - against the SDLP's

Our political correspondent Chris Page has been looking at how

The city was the Crucible of the conflict and the cockpit of the

peace process. These days the famous walls are more likely to play host

to tourists in turmoil. But the election contest here will be one of

the most intense. The two leaders of nationalism are going head to head.

Martin McGuinness has represented Met also for 18 years but is

switching to learn and his home constituency. -- met Ulster. At this

constituency he is admiring the technology. Small margin sometimes

make all the difference in elections. Mr McGuinness hopes it

can increase Sinn Fein's Foyle rally from two to three. Moving to Denny

is a clear statement but more must be done in the city. I believe in

the aftermath of this election, even if you consider the number of

candidates different parties are putting up, it is quite clear to

predict the two largest parties will be Sinn Fein and the DUP. I believe

I can deliver for the city and believe I have delivered in the

past. On the doorsteps the SDLP bidder is attacking his record in

Government. We can't have any more young people having to leave here to

find work. At 32 Colum Eastwood took over at the head of 's party last

year. He does not believe Sinn Fein will make a game at the SDLP's. He

has been a different areas representative and he must be

prepared to go on his record and the people of Derry are very frustrated

at the lack of delivery of this Stormont executive that he jointly

heads up. We look forward to their verdict on his record.

Five of the seats are always been nationalised and the DUP have caught

my help the other. We will be fighting for every single vote. It

is important people turned out for this election. The candidate is the

it social worker. We bring a new and progressive view locally. The man

who came a close seven in 2011 wants to get what the line in 2016. The

only thing that'll move the establishment is people organising

for themselves. We represent the do-it-yourself working-class

politics. Elections in Northern Ireland's second largest city are

always strongly contested and closely watched. But the race in a

Foyle this time round will be more significant and symbolic, given the

key battle between the nationalist parties.

Glasgow Rangers will play in the top division of Scottish football

It's good news for the club's thousands of fans here,

who watched the team drop to Scotland's bottom tier four years

ago, following the club's financial liquidation.

BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson has been to a Rangers supporters club

Champions! Rangers are heading back into the

top flight of Scottish football. And that was not just finding Glasgow

signing last night. There were also promotion parties and Belfast,

including here. Feelings of joy, relief and satisfaction. Knowing we

are back where we belong, knowing all that was through throwing at us

they have handled and came back bigger and better than ever. The

support was always there for the club throughout. On the boat and the

planes you see all the Rangers supporters going over in their

droves. The support from Northern Ireland has always been there. What

has it been like being a Rangers supporter in the last few years,

have you taken stick? Yes I have taken stick but if you're big enough

to take it you're big enough to give it back. I am 50 years of age and

have been a Rangers fan for 50 years and nine months. You don't become a

Rangers fan of night. What do you think Celtic fans are really feeling

today? Any decent football ban will tell you, Celtic fans in the back of

their minds will be happy to see a Rangers back. -- football ban. Some

Celtic fans may disagree. The supporters may have the differences

but for next season they will be back in the same league.

An American man accused of endangering an aircraft has said

all the charges against him are a fabrication.

The 42-year-old was arrested in June last year -

after a Rome to Chicago flight was diverted to Belfast

Jeremiah Mathius Thede aged 42 leaves

He's charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft

after an incident last June which saw him arrested

There's was widespread coverage in the United States -

flight 917 spent almost twenty-three at Aldergrove - interrupting

Today the purser on United Airlines Flight 917,

Sheila Wire gave evidence, a woman with 43 years

of flight experience who'd become concerned at Mr Thede's behaviour,

and had spoken to a colleague she said was trembling with fear

She told the court that at one point during the flight she took for male

passengers to the back of the plane and briefed them on what she called

able bodied assistance. She met that if that had been required they would

not help who restrain Jeremiah Mathius Thede. In the event that

never happened. She set up to 20 passengers made a point of speaking

to her. Are we safe, the ask? They asked "What is United Airlines

doing to ensure my family is safe?" Other cabin crew from the flight

will be giving evidence during the trial. Jeremiah Mathius Thede denies

the evidence against him and the case continues.

The Dail has again failed to elect a Taoiseach after February's

The leaders of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny, and Fianna Fail,

are now expected to meet this evening

Our Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison joins us now.

Shane what happened in the Dail this afternoon?

Its 40 days since the last general election in the Republic and if

another one is to be avoided the maths is simple. They have to come

to an arrangement, given that Sinn Fein have ruled themselves out of

Government formation. This afternoon at the magic figure was 79 assuming

there were no abstentions. The Fine Gael... The voting was as expected

and ending with what happened on March the 10th when the last failed

to elect a head of Government. What do we know about this expected

meeting? The meeting was scheduled for about now and may already be

taking place. If an election is to be forwarded we have to come to some

form of arrangement. At this stage the most likely outcome would be a

minority Fine Gael Government that may include some independent

members. Both parties have been talking about independence. There

are issues that divide the parties, most notably water charges. They

will want assurances that this arrangement will last. The Dail is

due to meet again a week tomorrow to elect a Taoiseach but I don't think

they would be in a position to do so but what we can say with certainty

is the phoney war is over and we are in the beginning of the endgame but

that does not mean there won't be more twists and turns along way.

On the eve of the Augusta masters the hype around the world's elite

golfers has gone into overdrive - Mark Sidebottom is here

Almost all the media focus has been on messrs Mcilroy Spieth and Day,

Graeme McDowell is playing in his just three times from eight

Graeme McDowell is playing in his ninth Masters tournament. 12th place

as his best ever finish around this unique Augusta course but he is

hoping for better this year after almost missing out on an invitation

to golf's most exclusive event. He will try to put himself on the

leaderboard after an impressive finish last season put them on the

field. I won in Mexico at the end of the year and I really appreciate

being here because it is my favourite golf course in the world

and I really love the tradition but it is not really a happy hunting

ground for me. I am OK with that today and my expectation levels are

low and I hope to outperform that as much as

low and I hope to outperform that as year and wants to qualify for the

Ireland Olympic team in Rio and make it to a fifth consecutive Ryder Cup.

I would love to be part of the team and of rookies playing well will

make it a very competitive team and I will do my best to be there and

keep the Northern Ireland flag flying. One of Rory and Shane on the

Olympics theme I will be doing my best to try and get up there and

Olympics theme I will be doing my just have to stay fresh and the

patient. Graeme McDowell, like the rest of our major champions, uphill

with Irish golf on the world stage. Back at home the next generation are

working hard to try and continue that success and are being given the

best opportunity to emulate their heroes.

The new breed of Irish golfers beat up several times a year for a

weekend of fine tuning. It is an environment that aims to take the

most competitive under 18s in the country to the next level.

We're getting some individual settings with different cultures,

such as strength and conditioning of physiotherapy or checking the death

distances. I also do some individual sessions. Some of them have their

own personal coach or provincial coach and help them do what they do

with them. The likes of Rory McIlroy have come through their system and

it is a proven pathway to the top and these players know it. Just

coming down here I still get excited and this is my fifth year and still

look forward. Rory was down here at these weekends and it just shows

what you can do and what is in the future for us.

It is great to be competing with people like this, people that I have

always looked up to another myself at the same level so it is great to

finally be with them. It is just shows that if they can do

it we can do it so it helps us and taverns is up a bit.

There will be long hours of practice ahead with the dream of maybe one

day making it to Augusta. Let's hope we see some of those

young men here one day. Al the back tonight on BBC Newsline when we will

hear from Darren Clarke, European Ryder Cup captain.

Five local rowers have been named in the Great Britain squad for next

month's European Championships in Germany, four of them

in Olympic boat classes - giving a sizeable hint at who'll be

From Caversham Nigel Ringland reports.

At flagship of 's World Championships Richard Chambers one

silver in the lightweight double sculls. This year he hopes to turn

that into gold. We cannot get ahead of ourselves. It is another stretch

of water like the lake we have here, 2000 metres long, who can be the

fastest, noncontact sport, just another piece of water. His brother

Peter will be part of the lightweight for and after winning

the GB trial last month Campbell will be the single scholar hoping to

head to the games. Making her debut will be Holly Nixon. She is looking

forward to going ahead. I'd be telling a lie if I did not think

what would it be like to go to real? I was at 2012 but my parents and

felt I would love to give it a go. -- love to be at Rio. The first stop

on to real is the championship in Germany.

Tyrones gaelic footballers put their under 21 all-Ireland title

on the line tonight when they meet Monaghan in the provincial decider.

That starts at 8pm and the BBC cameras will be there. I am

wondering if there will be any hail or has the storm passed?

It has been a crazy day of weather. I went home at lunchtime and I had a

mixture of hail, sunshine and then lashing rain. This was the view

outside the window for one hour and the weather gods threw everything at

once. That had a big impact on the temperature is as well. Under

brighter skies weird pop temperatures of around nine Celsius

but once the shower clouds approached the temperature dropped

to just three Celsius. That wild roller-coaster ride of weather is

not over yet. The showers continue overnight. By the wee small hours we

have a more organised band of rain. This old front is sinking southwards

bringing a considerable amount of rain overnight. It also brings with

it some strong winds as well, up to 40 millimetres of rain in some

places and from surface of water on the roads to model. By the time most

people heads to work we're into a more shower than the Mac showers set

up and the day improves as it goes on. A ridge of high pressure arrives

meaning the showers stops and the cloud opens up a bit more. Pop

temperatures pen Celsius. Those clearing skies on Thursday evening

means it will be a chilly night and not a bad start to Friday. The Rye

and Shelley but make the most of it because as we go through the day

this band of rain works in spreading across the country. The wet end to

the week and things are and settled towards the weekend with plenty of

showers around through Saturday and just a hint that perhaps things

might improve for Sunday. You can also keep in contact with us

via Facebook and Twitter.